A journal of wildlife seen during walks in areas of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire close to the Buckinghamshire village of Worminghall. The blog will also include wildlife notes from other areas visited.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Shirburn Hill - August 16th 2009

A 2 hour walk on the Hill from 10:15 in sunny weather with some breeze.

The main reason for the visit was to find the Silver-spotted Skipper. Success; good numbers seen on all open short grassland areas. Other butterflies of note were Comma, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady, Small and Large Whites, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, both ♂ and ♀ Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Small Cooper and Brown Argus.

The bird life was as quiet as was expected for this time of year. Though a late summer Tit flock included many Phylloscopus warblers. Did not spend time checking the flock out so not sure whether the birds were Willow Warblers or Chiffchaffs. Did notice Great, Long-tailed and Marsh Tits in the flock.

Other avian interest included good views of Red Kite, Common Buzzard and there was a European Robin in full song.

Of the flora, Wild Candytuft was in flower across the hill close to areas of bare soil (scrapes) and Autumn Gentian found to be common in the open area above the scrub strip. Much more common than Common Centaury! The most noticeable plant in flower was Eyebright. The plants seemed to be everywhere! I have no idea what exact species of Eyebright they were; so, perhaps one day, I will have the inclination to key them out!

2 dragonflies seen on the hill. One a hawking mostly blue job the other a ruddy brown smaller individual. Need to start being more serious about identifying this group of insects.

Finally, some glossy golden brown small flies acting like pond skaters on a puddle within a rut. What I assumed to be ♂ flies, flicked their wings forward and back quickly. A courtship display? Should have brought the camera with me to support research into their identification. Their wings had a dark patch towards the apex.